Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

We support the general principles of sustainable development set out in the above policy. In particular, we support sub-section b) which "ensures the long term vitality of the districts' villages by supporting growth, which provides opportunities for existing and new residents and sustains key facilities".

We generally support the proposed settlement hierarchy.

Ashwell is currently identified as a Category A settlement wherein general development will be allowed within the defined settlement boundaries.

Paragraph 13.5
Ashwell

The Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission, October 2016, has amended the existing development boundary of Ashwell village to include additional land to the south and to the east. It is noted that the Parish Council (PC) state that no local consultation was undertaken on the amended boundaries now shown.

It is considered that a more sensitive approach to the amendment to the development boundary should have been undertaken to enable additional parcels of land immediately adjacent to the village to be incorporated. This would enable small scale housing development to occur, in a sustainable location, to meet locally assessed housing need.

The PC, in its response to this proposed Submission Plan (18 November 2016), makes clear that there is considerable local interest in Ashwell in respect of the provision of new housing, which will be expressed in a forthcoming Neighbourhood Plan. What is also clear is that the well supported Parish Survey on Housing Issues identified that:

"* Housing was required for those who wanted to downsize, which in turn would free up larger houses;
* private housing for older people who have mobility issues;
* people did not want houses built outside the village boundary; and
* people did not want sites of more than 10 houses.

One such small site is that shown on the accompanying plan and identified on the Google Earth image. It is located on the north eastern side of the village bounded by Springhead to the south and Cow Lane to the north west. The land is bounded by substantial and well maintained hedgerows, is laid to grass and intermittently grazed by sheep. It does not form a part of an agricultural holding. It is in the ownership of Duck Lake House and has been used intermittently by the owners for the growing of vegetables.

The site currently is located outside the village development limits. It is not clear why this is the case, as its boundary abuts an area of land to the east, which falls within the defined settlement boundaries of the village. It also shares a rear north eastern boundary with that parcel of land. The site is therefore well defined by physical boundaries and its incorporation into the Development Boundary would, in both a physical and visual sense, be completely logical.

The site was assessed in September 2016 as a part of the Sustainability Appraisal of the North Hertfordshire Proposed Submission Local Plan (CAG Consulting). Appendix 7: 'Non Preferred Sites - Summaries and Appraisal Matters'. The report states as positive effects that the site is: "Close to the local centre and facilities; would support the rural community; is not in a flood risk area; is within 400m of a Green Space; within 400m of a bus stop". The negative effects are: "Further than 800m to train station; (as is the whole village); Greenfield site; site included as part of a designated wildlife site (we can find no evidence of such a designation); that the initial construction phase may impact on adjoining residential properties (all development would have this effect); the site is in the Conservation Area; (this of itself does not prohibit development per se).

There is, in fact, no substance to the negatives identified in respect of this site that would not occur on any other site within the core of the settlement. There are no identified constraints either practical or visual that should prevent it being considered favourably for inclusion within the defined settlement limit of Ashwell.

There is no logical reason why this small site should have been included the settlement of Ashwell. It is of a similar scale, size and appearance to the immediately adjoining land which is included. It would create a small site that could be effectively used to provide a dwelling in a sustainable location.

We object to this housing allocation. This is a large 'estate' type development located in a prominent position on the south eastern side of the village. The site has been the subject of a number of refused planning applications and a dismissed appeal in 1987. It seems perverse that, with this long history, the Council now considers that the site should be imposed upon Ashwell, when previously it has been considered to be entirely unsatisfactory and harmful to the settlement.

In its response to this current Local Plan submission, the Ashwell PC made clear the extent of objections made by local residents to site AS1 as being inappropriately sited in a prominent position and damaging to the character of the village. The local view is that housing should be smaller in scale and designed to meet the identified needs of the settlement.

The site at the corner of Springhead and Cow Lane (see paragraph 13.5 Development Boundary) which we propose for inclusion in the Development Boundary would meet the identified housing requirements, as identified by the PC, for an individual dwelling for an existing resident to "downsize" and thereby release a larger family home for a growing family in the village. This type of small scale development has minimal impact on the character and appearance of the village, but brings with it the benefit of enabling a younger family to grow without the need to move, thus maintaining and supporting the age range of the population of the village. This is consistent with the approach to sustainable development, as set out in Policy SP1 paragraph (b) "to support long-term viability of the district villages".